CH 3

Chapter 3: Was She Always Like This? 

In the game Shiori Sugimura from “Fragmented Rhapsody” was a mischievous yet caring second-year senior in the same club as the main character, Aoi. In other words, she becomes interested in the main character because she takes care of her, and begins to meddle in their affairs more and more as you go down their route. In the Shiori route, It wouldn’t have taken a lot of time from their meeting for her to be attracted to her.

With her being the senior character, in the middle of the game her outer appearance changes little by little after her love flag is set. To put it simply, she activates older sweetheart mode“I want you to know who I really am” Aoi who only saw the reliable and mature Shiori, was shown a face nobody else could see, and falls for the so-called Gap moe.

However neither the flow of the story nor character setting applies to me now. Because the adolescent ideal of the “real me” is nothing more than a girl with a black history from a past life. I’m living with the memories of a 26 year old woman. The current “Shiori Sugimura” is relied on by people, and when she wants to be appropriately sweet she can, however she is also busy pursuing a new yuri fascination. That is the real “Me” with all strengths and weaknesses.

Aoi X Shiori in the game is a route that occurs because Shiori becomes fascinated by Aoi. Aoi X Koharu is similar. Perhaps Aoi is vulnerable to being pushed into a relationship.

It’s only in Sara that the formula breaks. In Sara’s route, it’s Aoi actively pursuing Sara, gradually opening her heart, despite the fact she seems annoyed at first, and the confession event occurs when her fondness has risen.

The important thing here is that Sara is “Annoyed by her at first”.

Sara in the game didn’t have a friendly personality. She doesn’t accept invites to go out, the conversations are short, and she is good at rubbing salt in wounds. If she was a character that said “I wanted to see you again!” from the beginning she wouldn’t be a hard capture. 

Then. . .Why?

Sara, who is happily smiling besides me, is adorable, but my head is full of question marks.

“This is an amazing coincidence. Fujioka-san is also on this train route.”

This train route is used both by Yuri Nomiya students and Tsubakigaoka students. There is another route where students go by bus, but Aoi and Koharu probably also use this route.

A cold sweat then went down my neck.

. . .This is bad. I was relieved that I blocked the encounter yesterday, but they might meet on the train in the future. 

“I was debating on whether or not to go to school by bus, so I thought I might as well try going by train to test that out. It was pretty early so I got on an early trip, but that turned out to be the right decision!”

“Ahh, I see. Me too, I usually take two trains later than this, but I got up too early and went on this one because I had free time. So which is better, bus or train?”

Maybe Sara in the game goes to school by Bus. If she did commute by train there would be way more events involving Aoi on a train. I’m sure she would only be going to school by train on the first day, and will then choose to go to school by bus.

“Well, I was still deciding on what’s the best option, and they don’t seem that different. But if I could go with Sugimura-san to school then the train is better.”

“Is that so?”

What is this warm feeling, this girl. I’m happy. I’m really happy.

“Yup, I decided. I’ll go to school by train! Hey, is it alright if we go two trains later tomorrow?”

“Y-Yeah, that’s fine. I also usually take two trains later than now, so let’s start tomorrow.”

“Awesome! Thank you!”

There is no way I can refuse her with the flow of the conversation. The plan itself makes me very happy, and Sara with her innocent happiness is very cute. – – – Though I noticed. Perhaps now, I have changed Sara’s fate?

She was supposed to go to school by bus and walk to school in the future, never having contact with Aoi, but now there is a possibility of her encountering Aoi. Is this the world forcing the two together?

If that’s the reason.

(I can’t let my guard down)

I have no choice, with the curse of knowing what I know, I will take responsibility until Aoi and Koharu stick together.

I can’t help it when she leaves for school. But I quietly vowed to be her knight while she is on her way to school.